BASEBALL: Highlanders edge Bears in 12-6A opener

By Justin Maskulinski, jmaskulinski@hcnonline.com

Updated
10:24 am CDT, Wednesday, March 14, 2018

The Woodlands starting pitcher Steven Beard (16) is greated by teammates after the final out of the seventh inning as the Highlanders defeated Montgomery 3-1 in the first District 12-6A game of the season, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in The Woodlands.

The Woodlands starting pitcher Steven Beard (16) is greated by teammates after the final out of the seventh inning as the Highlanders defeated Montgomery 3-1 in the first District 12-6A game of the season,

The Woodlands starting pitcher Steven Beard (16) is greated by teammates after the final out of the seventh inning as the Highlanders defeated Montgomery 3-1 in the first District 12-6A game of the season, Tuesday, March 13, 2018, in The Woodlands.

The Woodlands starting pitcher Steven Beard (16) is greated by teammates after the final out of the seventh inning as the Highlanders defeated Montgomery 3-1 in the first District 12-6A game of the season,

THE WOODLANDS – Despite leaving 11 runners on base, The Woodlands managed a 3-1 win over Montgomery at Scotland Yard to open District 12-6A play.

Two key performances helped the Highlanders (7-7-1, 1-0) take down the Bears (12-4-1, 0-1) on Tuesday.

Centerfielder Shane Sirdashney led the way at the plate with a 3-for-3 effort featuring a home run and two singles. Pitcher Steven Beard went the distance on the mound and allowed just five hits.

"Steven Beard had a great effort for us on the mound, he did it for us last year too," The Woodlands coach Ron Eastman said. "[Montgomery] is very good and we were very fortunate to get some big hits – the home run from Sirdashney – and the outstanding effort from Steven on the mound."

The Bears had one of the more impressive non-district records in the area. Coach Chris Morris expected the close battle his team got from the Highlanders on Tuesday.

"It's just a typical game in this district," Morris said. "They got the hit when they needed the hit. We had the opportunities, we just didn't get the hit tonight. I was very proud of the way we played. Gavin [LaBruyere] pitched a heck of a game and we played pretty good defense, we just didn't get the hit and they got the hit."

In the first two scoreless innings, each team sent a total of seven batters to the plate and had one in scoring position.

The Woodlands scored the game's first run in the bottom of the third. Sirdashney singled to left field with two outs for this second hit of the night. After a balk sent the leadoff hitter to second, Drew Romo tripled to right field to score Sirdashney and give the Highlanders a 1-0 lead.

Dalton Davis led off the fourth with a single and Jordan Hood's sacrifice bunt moved him to second with one out. The Bears' designated hitter was left in scoring position as the next two batters flew and grounded out. Davis reached base in all three of his plate appearances.

In the bottom of the fourth, the first five Highlander batters reached base. Two were forced out at second, but The Woodlands still managed to eventually load the bases. Montgomery starting pitcher Gavin LaBruyere – who went five innings in the loss – and Evan Perez were deadlocked at a full count before a strikeout stranded three runners.

Just like the fourth inning, The Woodlands left the bases loaded in the fifth. But in the fifth, they got a couple across home plate first.

A Sirdashney leadoff home run to left-center field got the scoring started for the Highlanders.

"Before the game, I was seeing well in pregame," Sirdashney said. "I've been working on seeing the ball through each week and it came together in this game right here. I went 3-for-3, helped my team out and got the W."

Three of the next four batters singled to load the bases. PJ Villareal grounded a ball to third and pinch runner Dylan McDowell scored to make it 3-0 when Montgomery's catcher dropped the would-be force out at home.

Montgomery's Tyler Brakefield moved baserunners to second and third with just one out on the board in the top of the sixth. After an error at shortstop with two outs, one run scored before Hood was tagged for the third out trying for a second run.

Up 3-1, the Highlanders left the bases loaded for a third consecutive amidst a pitching change from LaBruyere to Calin Knight.

"That's what we've been doing so far this season," Morris said of his players in high-pressure scenarios. "Our guys on the mound don't seem to panic. They throw strikes and trust the defense behind them. That's what I tell our pitchers – trust the defense."

Beard came back out for the top of the seventh and sat the Bears down in order to cap off the night.

Both teams will continue 12-6A play Friday. The Woodlands heads to Oak Ridge, while Montgomery hosts College Park. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.